Francesco Alberto Gherardi 

Francesco Alberto Gherardi is an Associate Learning Portfolio Manager at the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC). He designs and leads learning initiatives on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, Gender Equality, Intersectionality, Conflict Sensitivity, and the intersection between peacebuilding and emerging technologies, including AI.

What distinguishes his work at UNSSC is his extensive first-hand field experience leading peace processes and social cohesion programmes in conflict-affected contexts. Prior to joining UNSSC, Francesco served with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Srebrenica (Bosnia and Herzegovina), supporting conflict prevention and local-level mediation; with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) as Civil Affairs Officer in Bentiu, working on peacebuilding and community engagement in one of the world’s most fragile contexts; and with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Iraq, where he led the Social Cohesion Programme, overseeing strategy, implementation and partnerships at national and sub-national levels.

Earlier in his career, he worked with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in humanitarian diplomacy. He holds a specialization in International Law, with a major in International Humanitarian Law and a minor in International Human Rights Law.

At UNSSC, Francesco translates operational field leadership into system-wide learning, ensuring that every training he designs and facilitates is grounded in practical experience from peace processes, mediation, and programme management in complex political environments. His approach is informed by intersectional and feminist perspectives, connecting lived realities in conflict settings with inclusive, rights-based and transformative peacebuilding practice.